Exciting News - I'm a Lady Bud! :)

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanilla

Whew... I don't know about you, but this was another whirlwind weekend for me. The guys were home, so to speak, but spent a big portion of it with their girlfriends, which was cool, as they are the sweetest girls in the world! we had a big cookout for them all yesterday after they spent the day at the County Fair. Then it was off on a rollicking 6 hour round trip ride to drop off Mick back at school..... wasn't any easier to leave him this time than it was the last.... oh well. He and Tyler both are really enjoying college life, as they should, so that does make me feel good. They are exactly where they are supposed to be doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing, and God has His loving arms wrapped tightly around them. so this Mom needs to let them fly........

Now on to my exciting news - I have been accepted onto the fun new Design Team over at Baby Bud Designs! so that makes me an official Lady Bud! I am just tickled pink to be a part of this fabby new team! Please take a moment if you will to stop by the other DT members' blogs to wish them a hearty congratulations with me! They are an amazingly talented group of women I am pleased as punch to be a part!

Calypso

Ellie

Giovana

Krista

Purple Lisa

Lisa V.

Margie

Maria

Silke

Sheri

Just a happy little owl!

I am sliding this card in by the seat of my pants for the Stampin' Sisters in Christ challenge this week, but really wanted to play and really wanted to make something with this image. phew.....

The SSIC challenge is to use something metal in keeping with the scripture, "As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." Proverbs 27:17. My little bit of metal is the happy sentiment bit in the lower right corner. and this card is going to a most precious friend who constantly sends me the most beautiful photos that she takes and includes uplifting scripture. I put them on the fridge, by the compy, or keep them on the craft table with me. So hopefully she will enjoy this little bit of something to help brighten her day the way she has so often brightened mine!

The image comes from Tracey at The Stamping Boutique. papers are Cosmo Cricket DeLovely. I painted lots of pink shimmerz over the cutie owl plus some other colors on the pretty little flower in her hair. The lace trim is some vintage from my Etsy stash. I also added the little felt branch and punched flowers for a bit of fun.

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! :)

She Sprouted Wings.....

Coffee of the Day - Pumpkin Spice, yes, I caved and it feels DIVINE! :) I so so so love this flavor!

The temps have dropped, the air has a crispness to it that only comes with the arrival of fall. oh how truly glorious! the leaves are starting to turn. it truly is one of my most ever seasons! so yes, I enjoyed my first taste of Pumpkin Spice in a Starbuck's frapp while we were driving all over the northern half of Ohio yesterday. and it was pure delight! :) my only mistake was in ordering a grande and not a venti, but alas, there will be MORE pumpkin spice in my future, so not to fear! tee hee! so of course this morning had to begin with a pot of pumpkin spice coffee. I even had David smell the grounds as I was putting them into the press. he thought I was nuts, but then again, nothing unusual there. ;)

So onto my project for today - I made this gift bag as a mag submission, but discovered this week that it wasn't accepted. an itty bitty let down, but not by much because I really like the way it turned out. and I know that I will probably tuck a treasured bag of Starbuck's & a scented candle inside and present it to a dear friend who just happened to need the reminder of just how very special she is....... as we all do from time to time.

As you know from reading my posts, I really do enjoy the daily inspiration I receive from The Brave Girl Club. The stamps used on this bag are from the specially designed set created by Unity. This is my first ever Unity set and I am quite impressed. Lots of glimmer mists were used on the bag that don't show too much through the scan, but irl, boy howdy does it shine! papers are from October Afternoon Thrift Shop and Cosmo Cricket Material Girl. the vintage trim is actually sprayed with the glimmer mist as well. the sentiment is embossed to make it stand out a bit more.

I hope that on those days when you feel a little less than your whole self, you can reflect upon your life and the many ways in which you are truly blessed & deeply loved. then you will know that you have indeed sprouted wings! fly, dear friend, fly! :)

Small Things Done in Great Love

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

To start - a few updates..... our son Tyler is doing just fine after the car accident this past weekend. We have all been extremely touched by the numerous emails, comments, and messages so many of you have left. I was telling him today how many of you have reached out to him with prayers and well wishes. He really was overwhelmed with gratitude. and he truly is just fine. God loves this young man more than I can possibly comprehend as a mother and has Tyler wrapped tightly in His arms, safe and sound.

secondly and on a much more minor note - yes, I am aware that Starbuck's has already released their Pumpkin Spice Lattes and frapps. but gosh, it is still so stinkin' hot here that I have not been able to bring myself to succomb to the deliciousness of my fave fall treat. even though the leaves are beginning to turn, with temps in the 90's, it just doesn't seem quite time yet to have my pumpkin drinks! :) but not to fear, I will stock up on the pumpkin coffees and drink more than my fill starting in the next few weeks. I'll keep you posted! :)

Phew, now on to my card for today. This cutie patootie image is the spitting image of Mick's gf Jocelyn. so I had to had to had to make a card with her. and of course he will just HAVE to give it to her this weekend...... but we are NOT talking personal date stuff here on my blog o' death to relationships..... nope, this mom is just making casual conversation about a card I made for someone I know.........

Papers are Basic Grey Wisteria, precious image is Baby Bud Designs, those bows were screaming to me to be painted with iced lavender shimmerz, and used this brand spankin' new floral trim by May Arts. oh yes, rub on is Stampin' Up! also used a few of their new colors - LOVIN' 'EM! you know I never get rid of my old SU! colors, so I am happy as a clam to have more for my collection. these new ones are as fabbylicious as can be!

heading off to Bowling Green momentarily, so will be back later this weekend to chat more! love ya! Jennifer

I Fall For You

Wow! 2 days this week with double posts.... what is UP with THAT?! grins!

I am actually loving loving being crafty again! so hopefully all of you are enjoying the things I am showing as well.....

I wanted to play in the challenge going on over at Tiddly Inks this week, but also make a card for Tyler to give his girlfriend. yes, I know I am not allowed to talk about the guys and their love lives on my blog, so that is as much as I will say...... but he is very excited about presenting this card to her this weekend when they get together, so that makes me happy! :)

I don't have many Tiddly Inks images yet, but hope to acquire more over the next few months. They do so make my heart giggle. The theme for this week's challenge is the end of summer. Well what better paper for me to pull out than my favorite Basic Grey Indian Summer. I think I went through 3 of the 6x6 paper packs last fall, that is how much I love this line! The little hearts have been touched with shimmerz paints, and the cuppy icing was covered in lavender distress stickles. I added the fun glitter leaf (which is gold irl, sorry for the funky scan) and these fun trims from May Arts. I am sooooo digging (pardon the pun!!!) this wonderful tulle ribbon edged in gold. it is just as fabby as it looks! I did cut the loops of the bow off in the scan 'cause it reallllllllllllllllllllllly hangs out there! tee hee! gotta add that girly bling!

will be back in the next day or so with more to share. we head out to Bowling Green tomorrow to bring Mick home for the long weekend. Tyler will be home in time to ride along with us! what a surprise that will be for his bro! :) how glorious glorious to have the whole fam together again! pure bliss!

In the Garden

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

It is amazing how much peace, how much inspiration, how much restoration, I can find in a garden or in the woods. and the older I get the more I truly need this time in nature. It revives my soul. I find myself closer to God, which is silly I know since He is everywhere. Our boys (I really need to stop calling them that - boys - they are such amazing young MEN....) are discovering the same thing about themselves. We are a family who needs trees and all the little critters who inhabit them! grins! yesterday David and I just walked around a nursery for over an hour to just gaze upon the gorgeous plants, shrubs, and flowers that workers so carefully maintain. How I thrilled to see the honey bees swarming around perennials in these last few months before winter starts to make its way to northeast Ohio. we even ran into a long time friend and spent a while catching up.

So you must be wondering why in the world I am rambling on and on about gardens and bees and the like......... well you see I received word yesterday that a very special friend is not doing so well. she has been in the hospital for quite a while now, in a specially equipped room that allows for no windows to be opened, no fresh air to enter to replace the stale medical environment that she now calls home. Her beloved dogs can not sit on her lap. She can not see the beautiful gardens that surround her house, the gardens that cause hundreds of people to tour every year - that is just how fantastic they are. and yet this amazing woman will gladly take a cutting here and a pinch there and share with her friends because that is just how wonderful she is. and she wanted to take a little trip out of the hospital to Starbuck's (yes, she is THAT fantastic!! tee hee!), but it caused a fever to spike, so I long with all my heart to sent her a carafe of that famous coffee......
But instead I will make her a card. for right now that is all I can do because she lives so far away from me. and I used this most beautiful image from Tammy over at A Day for Daises. Because my most special projects always seem to use her artwork.........There is a lot of behind the scenes work that went into this card. if you would like the details, I would be happy to send them to you. but I have nattered on here long enough. suffice it to say that I pullled out my beautiful vintage buttons because my dear friend deserves only the best. and I used my precious pink shimmerz because it will make her giggle. My heart is in this card....... David said it took his breath away. I only hope she feels the love I am sending her.

Thanks for hanging in here with me to the end. and may you feel the love I am sending you! :)

• Shabby Tea Room - Old Meets New (old - vintage buttons, new - Webster's Pages papers)
• City Crafter - Let Your Light Shine
• Bee Crafty - Anything Goes
• Cute Card Thursday - Material Girl (ribbon bow)
• Cupcake Craft - Let's Get Digital

A Happy Kitty Tag

Another post today..... isn't it cool?! :)

I put together a cute little card using this most adorable little kitty by Baby Bud Designs. I just love the way the cat looks, so ready to be picked up and loved. You should see the other images that are available, too! Check out the blog and Etsy store! I printed out this cutie onto textured decorative paper, then used my inks and watercolor brush to add some extra little touches - shading and colors to the ears and cheeks. The cat was then popped up with foam tape. I had this fun pink tag (as if anything PINK could be anything except FUN!!grins!) as well as all of these neat goodies from some of the Vintage Findings kits by Making Memories. the flower is a vintage one I found from who knows where that I dyed in some coffee a while back. The doily is an old SU! one. The twine is actually from tea bags that I let sit in the tea a while to stain..... such fun things you can do to get neat embellies for crafting!

It has been a crazy ride......

Coffee of the Day - Butter Rum

What a wild weekend.......

First hubby wanted me to stop crafting..... then I got really sick....... then our son was in a most horrible accident..... just when you think life is on an even keel, it goes and spins you for a loop -dee-loop. upside down, inside out, backwards, forwards, this way and that. but God remains faithful and watches and holds us through it all. ever faithful.

my blog was deleted for a few days, but is back again after loving compromise. that is what marriage is about. I have bronchitis & a staf infection, but they will get better as they always do. plenty of coffee will see to that. and our son is safe. the Jeep is as repaired as it's gonna get. it is the Tick, named after a crazy superhero afterall! giggles! and it could have so much much worse. but God had His loving arms wrapped around our Tyler the entire time, thank you so so much, precious Father! and this weekend our family will be whole again as Mick and Tyler will be home again from school. ah, bliss.

I will be crafting again. although in a somewhat different fashion. there is that compromise. life, it is always changing. but that is a good thing. we must grow. and become who we are meant to be.
love to you all! and thank you for always standing by my side! mwah!

Iguanas Get Lonely Too....

no coffee today, but more delish iced Earl Grey with Lavender - yum!

I want to share with you today a card I have made for both Tyler and Mick. I used this wonderful iguana image from Squigglefly, a sketch from this week's Mojo Monday, and some reallllllllllly old Basic Grey papers. Typed up a punny little saying and we are on our way to a perfect card for a mom to send to her boys off at school!


Nothing fancy here at all... so I will save you the boring blah blah blah. everyone have a wonderful day!


Will check back in later with some cards that are more 'my' style - i.e. vintage, shabby, girly fun! :)

Dear Brave Girl........

Coffee of the Day - icky icky poo instant because my beloved french press broke on Saturday.... but I am making up for it with iced earl grey with lavender..... delish! :)

I am busy behind the scenes crafting some things for DT submission & apps, publications, and the boys' college cards, so nothing crafty to show you right now. Instead I will leave you with a gorgeous sampling of beauty from White Blossom and this inspirational post from The Brave Girl Club that arrived in my mail box last week. I flagged it so that I may continually go back to re-read. I hope it touches your heart the way it did mine. You are loved, deeply, passionately, more than you can ever imagine!

Dear Beautiful Girl,

It is important to remember that no one has the right or the power to
take away your choices, your thoughts or the essence of who you are.

Lots of things in life can be taken from us, but most of the things that are
most valuable can not. The things that matter most can not be seen, and really
CAN be protected fiercely by our own selves so that they are not violated or
crushed in any way. No person and no situation can make us feel bad or small
or stuck unless we allow it to. It is our choice.

Be careful with your dreams, be kind to them. Protect your choices and your
ability to make them. Make good choices so that you are not chained by the
consequences of poor ones. Watch your thoughts and make sure that what you
want most is what you are thinking most. Stand up for what you believe in
and don't settle for anything else.

We can decide what kind of life we want to have, and we are the ONLY ones
who can decide. We can't wait around for things to happen, we must take
action to make them happen. No more excuses, baby.......let's do this.
You are phenomenal, courageous and wonderful....
xoxo

A Great TLC Blog Hop Going On......

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanilla




No posts for Pink Saturday today, as I didn't think I would be up to it..... but I did want to mention this fabbylicious blog hop going on over at TLC today. not only do you get to see some amazing creations, but you have the opportunity to collect 7 wonderful digis created by Paulette!!! 7!!!! all of her digis are just tops in my book, but the chance to get this many at once is just to good to pass up! so what are you waiting for? grab your cuppa and run! :)


on another note, we have survived dropping off Mick at school, but barely. Dave, Ryan, and I had a long but quiet drive back home last night. we were all teary. Ryan made the comment that as close as he has been to his brothers, he wishes he had gotten to know them even better. of course that set me off to crying even more... gosh I am weepy just typing this. But Mick and I texted until midnight last night and he was at the rock climbing wall having a blast. I know he will be successful in whatever he tries. Tyler has been gone a week and is thriving beyond all our hopes and dreams. He has met some great people already that he is hanging out with. God is so very good!

all of you enjoy your weekend! love to each of you!

Forever Camp Friends

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

We are getting ready to head out the door for a day of shopping in PA...... clothing is tax-free there, so many people from Ohio head for the glorious Pennsylvania borders every year before school begins to grab bargains galore. I myself have never partaken of this annual trek, but Mick's significant 'friend' and her mom have convinced us to go along this year. He leaves tomorrow for Bowling Green, so we are going to try to get those last few things he needs to prove what a stylin', profilin' dude he truly is! grins! oh goodness, he would be mortified to read this..... giggles!

His 'friend' is someone that he has known for years at camp, so I thought this card would be perfect for him to give to her today before he heads off to school. I am forbidden to actually discuss the boys' relationships on my blog anymore, as they now call this the 'blog of death' to any relationship they have - so I will only allude to what is going on in their love lives.......... moms have a way of getting around those pesky rules our children give us! ;)

I tried to keep the card somewhat 'manly' since it is coming from a guy afterall. the cute image comes from Tracey over at The Stamping Boutique. Papers are from the Cosmo Cricket Mr. Campy collection. I added some belt loops and buttons I pulled off a pair of Mick's shorts that were being tossed. The sketch came from an old Pollycraft one.

Hope you have a wonderful day! Will catch up with you soon! hope to be back getting crafty in a few days as life settles back down when Ry starts up HS next Tuesday.

• Paper Pretties - summer
• Stamping For the Weekend - Anything Goes
• Alota Stamps - Autumn colors
• Digi Doodles Best - Anything Goes

It's a blue Pink Saturday......

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanilla

Good morning everyone! I'm having a tough time today getting super excited about much, as Tyler was dropped off at college yesterday. The house just feels so different without him here........ so this will be a short post. Mick leaves this coming Friday, and I'm not sure my heart can take it.......

I thought what better way to lift my spirits than to take a trip back to Yvonne's beautiful blog, White Blossom. May you, too, be inspired by her phenom photos...........

Have a beautiful Pink Saturday!

College Survival Guide Rule #1

Coffee of the Day - Maple Vanila

Today starts a new challenge over at the PCP Squigglefly group - Get Your Freak On. the idea is to make a project using an image of something that scares you or that represents a movie, book, or ghost story. We are celebrating Friday the 13th in style over there! :)

My card uses this adorable image by Cheryl Alger, "Monkey Scare". Many of you know how deathly afraid of monkeys I am. I decided to start a series of cards for Tyler and Mick who are both heading off to college this year. Tyler leaves today and Mick next week. the inside of this card reads, "Monkeys are Evil! when in doubt, always refer back to this rule." I think they will get a kick out of it, as this is a known 'momism' around here....... This card also works for the ghost story, "The Monkey's Paw" which started my fear in the first place. eeeeek!

The papers are Basic Grey Junebug. I kept the design pretty simple, just adding a few buttons & ribbon.

Have a wonderful day! I am going to try REALLY hard to not cry too much today, but so far it's been tough...... I am so gonna miss my guys.......

A Trip to White Blossom for PINK Saturday.....

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle

Happy Pink Saturday to you, my lovely friends! Today's post excites me for so very many reasons...... I want to share with you the most beautiful blog and photographs I have seen in a while.....White Blossom. I am always brought to such joy when I visit this wonderful blog. the photos inspire me - make my soul just sing! I hope you enjoy it, too. Please visit and leave Yvonne some blog love! :)

Wouldn't these hydrangeas be gorgeous framed and hanging on a wall - perhaps a powder room or even above my own craft table! Perhaps when I get that pink kitchen I still dream of............ grins!

May your day be filled with many 'Beautiful Things'! love ya!

Jennifer

p.s. check out Yvonne's personal blog, Fraulein Klein, my daily life for some GORGEOUS pink roses. they truly took my breath away.....

This Bunny LOVES Frosting!

Yep, 2 posts in one day for me - nothing short of astounding, I know. :) As I have been perusing challenge blogs, I came across several that were perfect for this adorable bunny image from Tracey at The Stamping Boutique.

The papers are from the Basic Grey Two Scoops collection. I added some coffee stained seam binding (something fun I decided to try my hand at....), rhinestones, clear button, beautiful flowers I received from my friend Annika in her marvy blog candy, and this wonderful sentiment from TLC. of course I had to add lots of shimmerz accents on the main image! tried more faux stitching again..... which we all know is a big challenge for me. ;) also used my new technique of adding glitter to my white gel pen - on the melted portion of the candle.
See you tomorrow!

Challenges:

• Craft Your Passion - sketch
• Digital Tuesday - use 2 digis from 2 different companies on 1 card - TSB & TLC
• Little Red Wagon - circles (sure hope my polka dots count... there are tons of them here! grins!)
• One Stop Craft - patterns
• Stampin for the Weekend - recipe: 3 DPs, 2 flowers, 1 ribbon, & gems or charms
• Paper Sundaes - stitching (faux for me again!)
• Sentimental Sundays - Switch it Up
• Ooh La La - birthday
• Paper Romance - appropriate for a teen (I sure hope so, as this is going to one! grins!)
• Challenge Up Your Life - Celebrations
• By the Cute and Girly - animals

Have Faith

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Hazelnut Truffle

I am so excited to be using this beautiful image, Faith Lemons, from Isabella's Sketchbook. It has just recently been released, and I think it is well on its way to becoming my fave image. I love it! but Isabella always has the most gorgeous digis, so many of hers are in my top image list.

The papers are Basic Grey - Lilykate and Basic Manilla. I did some different techniques on the main image that might not show up so well in the scan. and the scan is funky because that amazing rose really pops up off the card, so it laid funny in my scanner.

After doing my shading on the lemons with inks & watercolor brushes, I took a q-tip and sponged on some crystal effects. this gives a really neat bumpy texture to the lemons. after that, I outlined each of them with yellow stickles for a spot of glitter glitz. Lots of distressing, as always, and a bit of faux stitching. I am getting better about making it straight! grins! all buttons are vintage as is that most wonderful blue lace. now that lace really makes me smile! I absolutely love it!

I hope you have a most glorious day! and have faith, you are deeply loved - more than you can possibly imagine! :)

Challenges:

• Isabella's Sketchbook - buttons & bows
• Dare U 2 Digi Stamp - sketch
• Shabby Tea Room - photo inspiration
• Paper Sundaes - stitching (yes, it's faux, but you have heard my horror stories of me & my sewing machine!)
• Digi Doodles Best - fave stamp
• One Stop Craft - patterns
• Dutch Dare - Anything Goes
• Stampin with the Dragon - distressing
• Cupcake Craft Challenge - distressing
• City Crafter - food

I'm happy to be SQUARE! :)

Coffee of the Day - Butter Rum

We have started a new challenge over at the Squigglefly PCP group - Hip to be SQUARE! I must say that I haven't crafted in so long, I wasn't sure I would remember how. but oh it felt so GLORIOUS to make a card! it's as if my soul had been restored. anyone is more than welcome to play along in the challenge - just be sure to use an image from the Squigglefly store. in fact, if you use an image by Chesney Young, who is this month's featured artist, you get 2 entries into the contest for a free SF image.

For my card I chose Chesney's 'Singing in the Rain' cutie chick. I don't know who makes the paper, as it was a gift. The polka dots on the umbrella and the rain boots have been covered in glitter. man oh man, I really want a pair of pink glitter galoshes to splash around in! :) I tried something new with the white dots - I colored them in first with a gel pen and then realized that I wanted them glittery. so while the gel pen was still drying, I sprinkled white glitter over the top. perfect! the glitter stuck! I'll be doing this again, I am certain!

the rain puddle and drops are covered in crystal effects. I pulled out a MS border punch that I bought a while back, but had never used. I think this is such a cute one - not that any of hers aren't. the crochet flower came from a little girl's barrette I found on clearance. then it just took some satin ribbon, SU! sentiment, and buttons to finish this off. finished size is 5 1/2" x 5 1/2".

everyone have a wonderful day and STAY COOL!
Challenges:

• The Crafty Pad - ribbons and flowers
• Creative Card Crew - cute and girly
• Cupcake Craft - distressing
• ABC - August
• Sentimental Sundays - Switch it Up
• Totally Papercrafts - Going to the Movies ('Singing in the Rain', of course! who doesn't love that famous scene with the umbrellas and rainshower on the sidewalks! grins!)
• Creative Inspirations - Anything Goes
• Squigglefly Challenge blog - ribbon & SF image
• Incy Wincy - Summer Fun (hey, who doesn't like to play in the rain on a warm summer's day?! I taught my boys to play in the rain every chance they get. grins! )
• Digi Doodles Best - Punch or Cut me
• Dutch Dare - Anything Goes
• Simon Says Stamp - Sing it Baby! ('Singing in the Rain', once again! tee hee! could also go with 'Umbrella', but my boys would be mortified......)
• By the Cute and Girly - Animals
• Paper Makeup - cards for stash (David's mom almost completely wiped out my card stash when she was here in June! grins! she took over 100 with her...... wow!)
• Ellephantastic - Distressing
• Stamping with the Dragon - distressing
• Stampin Sisters in Christ - birds
• Stamp and Create - flowers (bg paper & crochet)

Let's go pink with Eloise at The Plaza

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

In honor of Pink Saturday, I am going to share with you some beautiful PINK news! I originally had another post planned for today, but as soon as I saw this news release...... well, you will see why it is so perfect!

Eloise comes to The Plaza - for REALS! :)

Starting at a mere $2045 per night, you and your DD can stay in the new Eloise Suite, designed by Betsy Johnson. Your DD will have her photograph taken upon arrival, which will later be presented to her framed. Once you get to the Suite, you will be greeted with pink striped walls trimmed in gold leaf, a chandelier with pink light bulbs, king sized bed with pink paadded headboard, and zebra print carpets. Your DD can then sign the official guestbook and snuggle into her very own Eloise robe. Various gift items in the package include a disposable Eloise camera, your own copy of the book, notecards, and a $100 gift card to spend. Perfect for any little Eloise in the making who wants to utter those famous words, "Charge it!" Click here for more info and to make your reservation. tee hee hee!

by the way, if any of the staff are asked where Eloise might be at that particular moment, they have been known to say, "in Europe," "shopping on Madison Ave.," or on a horse ride.

Since I don't have a DD, do you think they would let me stay in the room?! giggles!

I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my PINK bike! :)

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut

Welcome to another beautiful PINK SATURDAY!!!!! I know I say it week after week, but gosh, I love these days! :)

Still not doing so well health-wise, but won't go into that icky poo stuff here. needless to say, my few attempts at crafting didn't get completed. So today I share with you another beautiful photo or two that I came across this past week.

I haven't spent loads of time online lately, but I did happen across this store called Out of the Blue. The actual store site is down for renovation right now, but they still have some wonderful photos of the beauties housed inside........ oh to my delight, they have a glorious PINK bicycle! how much fun would that be?!?! to toodle around town, up to the library, to the post office, on a precocious pink bicycle!

So I will hold onto that lovely thought in my mind..... and also let you know that hubby actually thought the pink kitchen from last week was pretty cool..... you never know! ;)

Happy Pink Saturday, all of my precious friends!

I'm dreaming of a lovely pink kitchen.....

Coffee of the Day - Caramel Frap (hubby brought me a Starbuck's - what a sweetie!)

Happy Pink Saturday to you! Isn't it beautiful?! I really do look forward to Pink Saturdays all week long, as I have mentioned many times before.

Unfortunately this week I have been plagued with my seizures and some other ickies, so crafting did not get done..... sorry. I had great intentions, but just wasn't able to follow through as I needed to spend as much time in bed as possible. I haven't had a chance to leave comments from last week either, but have saved all of your info if you stopped by & will be around as soon as I'm able to say hello. I do so appreciate your kind words ! thank you! :)

So this week I browsed a few of my favorite sites and came across some beautiful pink inspiration for you today. CountryLiving.com never fails to bring a smile to my soul. my shabby chic/vintage heart just soars as I browse the pages and see so many pretties. I thought I would share one of my faves with you today - my dream kitchen. I know that no reality exists that would ever allow my guys to give me a pink kitchen. David asked me to go to Home Depot a month or so ago and bring home a few paint colors that I might like for the kitchen cabinets. I was a bit sassy and only brought home pinks - every range imaginable. you should have seen the look of horror on his face! :) tee hee hee! I can be soooooooooo bad sometimes!

give yourself a moment to dream of your perfect little pink getaway....... and who knows? maybe one day it will be yours! dreams CAN come true! :)

Oh Hello, Pink Saturday!

Coffee of the Day - French Vanilla




It's a beautiful Pink Saturday, and oh, how I have missed them! I just love so much the idea of Pink Saturdays..... to celebrate the pinkness in our world.... the beauty of all that is feminine.... of what makes our hearts soar, our souls sing out to God! gosh, the glory of it all is amazing! :) and I am happy to say that I have signed on to celebrate every one in the future with abandon! I hope you will join me!

My card this week is a re-run..... and it is because I am mailing it out toute de suite to a precious little girl who is in need of some cheering. I am trying to send out as many cards in my stash. I am still making new ones, too, but cards that just sit in a box need a loving home to really fulfill their purpose, and I just learned of this little girl, Grace, on Friday. You can read more of her story here on Jennifer McGuire's blog, but in essence, her twin sister, Ellie, recently lost her battle with cancer. Jennifer is trying to collect as many cards as possible to send to 10 year old Grace. I thought that this adorable twirling fairy from The Stamping Boutique might brighten her day. It's full of pinkness and flowers and lots of shimmery shine, so hopefully that will at least bring a bit of a smile.

Papers are Basic Grey and flowers are Prima. Punches are Stampin' Up! and EK Success.

May you have a most beautiful Pink Saturday!

OWH Birthday Blog Tour!

Coffee of the Day - Vanilla Macadamia

Welcome to my stop on the Operation Write Home blog tour celebrating America's birthday! oh gosh, it makes me so proud to be an American! :) I love it every time I see a flag waving in the wind, a soldier in uniform, hear 'The Star Spangled Banner'! I might not agree with every policy or politician, but I whole-heartedly love this country and what we are founded upon!

I made a card to celebrate birthdays using these great digi images from Squigglefly. Nothing fancy, but I tried to pack it with a whole lot of fun! :) and of course every birthday needs cake AND balloons! since this is going to a soldier stationed overseas, I couldn't use glitter for my little accents, so I used my white gel pen instead. My card is also for the Grand Opening challenge going on over at the Squigglefly group at PCP. the challenge is to create a happy celebration project. I hope you will come join us for the fun and some way cool freebies!

Everyone have a glorious weekend! much love to you all! :)

Bella's Blog Hop

Coffee of the Day - Toasted Coconut


Welcome to my stop on Bella's blog hop! If you have arrived from the *FABBY BLOG OF SANDIE*, then you are right on track. If you lose your way at any time, then head back to the *WONDERFUL BLOG OF DENISE* to start.

Bella is an 8 year old girl who faced a very serious illnes back at Easter. When the prognosis didn't look promising, her fighting spirit overcame, but at a serious cost - she ended up with a quadruple amputation. Those of us partaking in these 4 weeks of blog hops are trying to encourage people in the crafting and blogging community to send cards of encouragement and 'thinking of you' themes to her. Please be sure to take a look at Bella's blog to learn more about this brave girl's story.

By leaving comments and sending cards, you can be entered to win prizes each week as well as the Grand Prize to be drawn on July 20. Prizes have been donated by The Stamping Boutique, Digital Delights by Louby Lou, Crissy Armstrong, Whiff of Joy, Whimsy Stamps, and many many others. For more information on the prizes and how to enter, please check out Erin's blog.

Mail cards to:

The Bella Tucker Fund
P.O. Box 199
Londonderry NH
03053 USA

Since I hadn't been feeling too well this week after my MIL's visit, I didn't have the chance to make a new card to send off to Bella. But seeing that Whimsy Stamps is one of the prize providers, I decided that this adorable lamb stamp on my all-pink card would be just the thing to make a young girl smile, well at least I hope so! This is one of my fave cards I made in the short time I was blessed to serve with the Whimsy Challenge DT. It is a gate fold card using Basic Grey Two Scoops papers. Pretty floral buttons and a Prima all tied up with soft yarn should convey thoughts of love and prayers. The lamb is covered in rock candy distress stickles, too, for a subtle shimmery shine. and my card has already gone postal! :)

Come back again next week for another card by me, as well as some blog candy I am offering. Now hop on over to *JENNI'S PHENOM BLOG*!!!


p.s. here is the link on Erin's blog for the Grand Prize info. please - let us fill Bella's mail box with lots and lots of wonderful cards!

Daddys are Heroes

Coffee of the Day - Texas Turtle in honor of my MIL visiting from San Antonio (TX Turtle is a mix of chocolate, caramel, & pecans for those of you who have previously asked. quite yummy!)

If it's Wednesday, then you know it has to be time for a new challenge with Isabella's Sketchbook! and this week the theme is near and dear to my heart - honoring our fathers.


I have been blessed many times over in my life in the area of fathers. My Daddy was not only my father, but he was my hero, a man admired in our community wherever that happened to be, and someone who's legacy lives on long past the time he was granted in this world. My boys know him probably better than they do their other grandfather, even though only Tyler met him. David still talks about him routinely. I still dream about him at least several times a week, and he has been gone almost 18 years now. Even after I was married, we still spoke on the phone at least a few times a week. When I was growing up for a long time, it was just the 2 of us. We endured things most people could never fathom or comprehend. But we survived. and he was my hero - still is and always will be. He taught me to look at life with a sense of humor, even if it might be a little twisted sometimes! ;) So he might be gone, but this card was made for him. We spent many wonderful times at the beach, which is why I chose this sandcastle image. and heroes don't always ride on white horses, sometimes they drive an old Cutlass and wear a cowboy hat........

the sentiment is from TLC Creations. the bg piece is actually a small bit of fabric I came across & frayed the edges. buttons by the shell are vintage. I used the water distressing technique on all cs edges.